It's a fact of life: kids lose stuff.  They mean well, of course, and they try to follow instructions and hang onto their belongings, but all too often the daily adventures of being a kid translate into abandoned sippy cups, lost windbreakers and -- heaven forbid -- security blankets gone AWOL.  

A small business operating out of upstate New York has a fix for the budget- and patience-draining problem, though, and it's eco-friendly and socially conscious, to boot.  Name Bubbles offers a dizzying array of personalized name labels that withstand pretty much everything the world can possibly throw at a child's possessions; they're resistant to the rigors of dishwashers, washing machines, sunblock, and bug repellent; yet they're removable and thoughtfully made with non-toxic, eco-friendly ink.

Each year, the brand chooses a cause to which it donates a significant portion of its spoils: for 2012, its cause of choice is Reading Is Fundamental, and its initial pledge is $10,000.  Last year, it ultimately donated $24,000 to Water for People after an initial pledge of less than half that amount.

As for the labels themselves, a wide range of designs are available for labeling lunches, clothing, toys, and more. Name Bubbles emblazons the labels with information of the customer's choosing and alternatively offers a "Write On!" series.  The latter comes with two writing utensils, including a hydro marker safe for labeling bottles that may later be heated and items that might get wet.  The ink dries in five seconds and is removable with the swipe of a cotton ball dipped in rubbing alcohol. 

And just for the record, no one's saying Mom or Dad can't use a few labels of their own to keep coworkers' mitts off that special coffee creamer in the office fridge.  One could say these little labels really are a gift that keeps on giving.